Nitrogen-efficient monocot plants

Methods of increasing nitrogen utilization efficiency in monocot plants through genetic modification to increase the levels of alanine aminotransferase expression and plants produced there from are described. In particular, methods for increasing the biomass and yield of transgenic monocot plants grown under nitrogen limiting conditions compared to non-transgenic plants are described. In this way, monocot plants may be produced that maintain a desired yield while reducing the need for high levels of nitrogen application.